Sports card & memorabilia shows worth attending are becoming smaller in my opinion. The two shows I enjoy attending the most include The National Sports Collectors Convention and the Ephrata Lions Club Sports Card Show & Auction. When I first started collecting, I thought the show put on by the Ephrata Lions Club was the biggest thing in the world, then I went to The National. Then again, size doesn’t matter. Its the content that really makes a show good. The Ephrata Lions Club Show has tons of Phillies stuff. I’ve picked-up a lot of nice Phillies items there. Their next show takes place Saturday, March 23, 2013. 1987 Cy Young Award Winner Steve Bedrosian will be signing autographs from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Here are some links to the past shows I’ve attended:
I’ve been attending the Ephrata Rec Center Sports Card Show for years. It has been around for over 30 years, and is usually packed with a ton of good Phillies stuff. I busted (2) boxes of 2010 Panini Century Collection, and picked-up a few Phillies singles for my collection. Former Phillies catcher Bob Boone was signing autographs.
2010 Panini Century Collection “Hits”:
Box #1
Greta Garbo Hollywood Materials Relic #’ed/250
Frank Sinatra Hollywood Materials Relic #’ed/250
Knute Rockne Souvenir Stamps Relic #’ed/250
Eddie Mathews Relic #’ed/250
Norm Ullman Souvenir Stamps Auto/Relic #’ed/15
Duke Snider Brooklyn Ballpark Auto #’ed/10
Box #2
Tony Perez 2-Color Patch/Auto #’ed/25
James Cagney/Judy Garland Dual Hollywood Materials Relic #’ed/250
Knute Rockne Souvenir Stamps Relic #’ed/250
Jim Rice Blast From The Past Relic #’ed/250
Willie Stargell Relic #’ed/100
Bruce Jenner Souvenir Stamps Auto #’ed/36
Individual Pick-ups:
Gary Matthews 2004 Topps All-Time Fan Favorites Auto
Jamie Moyer 1996 Leaf Signature Series Auto
Bob Boone
4 x All-Star selection
World Series Champion – 1980
7 x Gold Glove Award winner
I couldn’t pass up on this Jimmy Rollins bobble-head. This was a stadium giveaway in 2008 with the Clearwater Threshers. The dealer didn’t know what he paid for it, and said “Give me $20.00”. I took it!
The Ephrata Rec Center Show has always been one of my favorite shows to attend. They have some of the best Phillies stuff. Next year’s show is on Saturday, March 26, 2011. Former Phillies catcher Bob Boone will be there to sign autographs. For more information about the show click here.
The Ephrata Rec Center Show is one of my favorites to attend because it has always had a bunch of Phillies stuff. Its not the biggest show in the world, probably only a few basketball courts filled with dealers. Ever since I’ve started collecting I’ve gone to this annual show. The Ephrata Lions Club has been holding this show for 31 years and it never seems to disappoint.
Its about a 2 hour ride to the Rec Center, and the show opened at 8:30 a.m. I wanted to get there early because the Lions Club was selling tickets for collectors to get their items signed by Fergie Jenkins. I arrived right at 8:30 a.m. and my ticket number was 111. That means at least 110 other people came before me, not counting the dealers because they can get their items signed without purchasing a ticket. I thought the show was very well attended and the prices on the singles (at least the ones I purchased) weren’t that bad. The boxes were priced higher than usual, but thats common for this show since there is usually only one dealer that sells a large portion of unopened products.
Jenkins signing my bat.
Fergie Jenkins’s rookie can be found in the 1966 Topps set. He was also the first Canadian to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
I had a great time at the show, and picked up some good stuff. Check it out!
Singles:
Domonic Brown 2008 Playoff Contenders RC
Domonic Brown 2008 Bowman Chrome Refractor
Box Breaks:
2009 UD Ultimate Collection Football –
Brett Favre base #’ed/375
Brandon Jacobs base #’ed/375
Drew Bledsoe Ultimate Legends #’ed/375
Don Maynard / Steve Largent Ultimate Dual Signatures Auto #’ed/35
For those collectors that live in Central Pennsylvania one of the best sports card shows takes place once a year in Ephrata at their Recreational Center. When I first started collecting this was the big show of the year for me. Its still a very good show, especially for Phillies fans. I can’t recall another show that has so much Phillies stuff. Next year it will take place on Saturday, March 27, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Baseball Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins will be signing autographs that day for collectors. For more information about the show click here.
The show opened Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. and as I was pulling into the parking space I could see the line going all the way out the front door. The line moved pretty fast and within a few minutes I had my hand stamped and purchased an autograph ticket. After attending the Philadelphia Show and the 2007 National, I knew this show wouldn’t seem as big. Before making any purchases I browsed around the 30 plus tables of cards and memorabilia. The major reason I go to this show is because it always has a ton of Phillies stuff, and this time it really delivered.
Check out some of the Phillies and other single cards I picked up for my personal collection. I did bust a few packs, but after seeing all the Phillies stuff I decided to stick with singles.
Around 11:00 a.m. they started calling ticket numbers for autographs. This year the autograph setup ran mucher smoother unlike two years ago. Darren Daulton was signing autographs in the old room they use to hold the card show in. I think the last time I was in that room was 11 years ago when I got Garo Yepremian to sign my Dolphins pennant. Having the autograph guest outside of the card show and in another room, really helped keep the traffic down around the show entrance.
Photos:
The line to get in went all the way out the front door. Waiting in line may not seem fun for some people, but I think this is a great sign that so many people still enjoy this hobby.
Inside the show there were about three dozen dealers.
Here is Darren Daulton signing my bat. He has to be one of the nicest athletes I have ever met. He really enjoyed talking with his fans and taking photos. He wanted to know who else signed my bat.
Championship ring
As I was passing by one dealer, they were putting these bobble heads out for display. I had to pick one up for my collection.
How could I not pass this up? Its a dual bobble head of Harry Kalas and Richie Ashburn. I also purchased a 2004 Philadelphia Phillies Inaugural Citizens Bank Park pin & 2008 World Series Champions button.
Overall, I think this was a successful show, especially if you’re a Phillies fan. I can’t wait to go back next year.
The next event Sports Card Info will be attending is the Tailgate at the Dome dinner with former Penn State stars Blair Thomas, Shane Conlan, D.J. Dozier, and Kenny Jackson on April 23, 2009. Be ready for more photos!
For as long as I have been collecting, the Ephrata Lions Club has held their annual sports card and memorabilia show at the Ephrata Rec Center located in Ephrata, PA. The next show will be held Saturday March 28, 2009 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Darren Daulton of the 1993 Philadelphia Phillies will be there to sign autographs. If you are a Phillies fan like myself, you would love these shows. There is Phillies stuff everywhere. I am definitely attending. For more information about the show click here.
Sports Card Info 